The six weeks before lambing are the most nutritionally critical period of the ewe's reproductive cycle, with nutrition directly determining lamb survival and ewe welfare.
Pre-lambing nutrition profoundly determines both ewe and lamb welfare at the most critical period. Ewes that are underfed in the last six weeks of pregnancy develop pregnancy toxemia, and their lambs are born underweight with impaired passive immunity and thermoregulatory ability. Both outcomes cause significant suffering. Adequate pre-lambing nutrition - adjusted for litter size through pregnancy scanning - is one of the most cost-effective welfare investments in sheep production. Operations that invest in scanning, separate nutrition groups, and appropriate late-pregnancy supplementation demonstrate superior welfare outcomes at lambing.